Seaside Retreat works, confirmed for Derby

Canadian stakes winner SEASIDE RETREAT (King Cugat) worked five furlongs in a
bullet :59 2/5 over a fast track at Churchill Downs on Thursday, and trainer
Mark Casse said afterward that the colt will run in next Saturday’s Kentucky
Derby (G1). The drill, under Derby rider Patrick Husbands, was the fastest of 22
works at the distance.

“We talked last night and Patrick said if he doesn’t work good, I’m going to
tell you,” Casse said. “He phoned me from the horse and said, ‘We are going to
the Derby, boss.’ He was really impressed.”

Seaside Retreat earned his way into the 132nd running of the Kentucky Derby
with a runner-up effort in the Lane’s End S. (G2) at Turfway Park. In his most
recent start, the William S. Farish Jr. colorbearer finished a distant sixth in
the Blue Grass S. (G1) at Keeneland.

“I think what happens at Keeneland is, you either like or you don’t like
it,” Casse said. “Some horses get to the bottom of it, and when they do, they
run real fast. This horse swam in it. Patrick said he was worn out in the post
parade.”

In other Kentucky Derby news:

Brother Derek arrived for his date with destiny (Rick Schmitt/Churchill Downs) Santa Anita Derby (G1) hero BROTHER DEREK (Benchmark) arrived at Churchill Downs around noon following a flight from California. The Dan Hendricks trainee is scheduled to gallop on Friday under the Twin Spires. Undefeated Florida Derby (G1) winner BARBARO (Dynaformer) arrived at Churchill Downs at approximately 3:30 p.m. (EDT) Thursday after a short van ride from Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky. Trainer Michael Matz said the dark bay colt would “probably” work sometime this weekend. “That’s it. There’s not that much more to do,” Matz said. “Most of the final touches have been done.” Unbeaten Lexington S. (G2) winner SHOWING UP (Strategic Mission) galloped 1 3/8 miles at Belmont Park on Thursday. Trainer Barclay Tagg, who saddled Funny Cide (Distorted Humor) to win the 2003 Derby, still hopes to run the late-developing colt in next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. “He was full of himself,” Tagg said. “If everything looks good on Wednesday, I’ll enter him, and if everything looks good on Thursday, I’ll ship.” Both Barbaro and Showing Up are owned by Lael Stables.

WinStar Farm has purchased an interest in SHARP HUMOR (Distorted Humor). The
Dale Romans trainee was a game second in the nine-furlong Florida Derby after winning the seven-furlong Swale S. (G2) in his seasonal debut at
Gulfstream Park. WinStar stands Distorted Humor at its farm near Versailles,
Kentucky.

WinStar Farm is also the owner-breeder of Kentucky Derby contender BLUEGRASS
CAT (Storm Cat), who is trained by Todd Pletcher.